Project Coordinator, Finnish University Partnership for International Development (UniPID) - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

We are seeking a Project Coordinator for an EU-AU research project and the joint scholar protection initiative of universities to work in the coordination unit of the UniPID network. The post will be based on the Joensuu campus and will be filled as from 1 September 2026, or as agreed. Please find more information below, and submit your application by 30 June 2026.

Role and salary

UniPID (Finnish University Partnership for International Development) is a global development network of ten Finnish universities, which supports multidisciplinary education and research and the social impact of universities and partnerships with actors in the Global South in the field of global sustainable development. The Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies of the University of Eastern Finland coordinates the network.

UniPID is a partner in two EU-funded projects that support research and innovation collaboration between the EU and the AU: CEA-FIRST (2024–2028) and AKIS4FNSSA (2026–2029). The Project Coordinator will work in a communication-focused role in the AKIS4FNSSA project, which aims to implement a functioning and sustainable Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS) in Africa. The project promotes the systemic change in innovation and agrifood systems towards agroecology and climate resilience, and develops the interaction of science, society and policy through a bi-continental research and innovation agenda. UNIPID leads Work Package 9 (knowledge co-creation for exploitation and dissemination) and contributes significantly to Work Package 8 (early communication, awareness and visibility).

UniPID is responsible for the administration of the Finnish Scholar Protection Scheme (FSPS). This is a national framework that is co-funded by all Finnish universities and aims at strengthening the impact of scholar protection in Finland.

The duties of the Project Coordinator include:

• administrating UniPID’s participation in the EU-funded project that is linked to the science, technology and innovation activities between the European Union (EU) and the African Union (AU),
• coordinating the Finnish Scholar Protection Scheme (FSPS), a joint scholar protection initiative of Finnish universities,
• acting as a preparing officer and secretary of the FSPS steering group and implementing funding calls for co-funded scholar protection projects,
• developing measures to secure and extend the funding base of the initiative,
• Other duties related to UniPID network coordination.

The post will be filled for a fixed term from 1 September 2026 to 31 December 2029. The post is filled for a fixed term due to the fixed duration of the network coordination responsibility. A 6-month trial period is applied to new members of the staff.

The salary of the post is based on the salary system for Finnish universities (other expert and support staff). The salary consists of a job-related salary element and a personal salary element. In this position, the job-related salary element is based on levels 8–9 of the job requirement level chart (EUR 2,920.12- 3,366,50)per month and a personal salary element is 6–50% of the job-related salary element.

Our requirements and expectations

A successful candidate is expected to have:

• a Master's degree in a relevant field,
• experience in the dissemination, exploitation and communication of research results and knowledge of the EU’s research and innovation funding programmes (especially Horizon Europe),
• general knowledge of research funding and experience in the implementation and administration of externally funded projects,
• knowledge of the Finnish higher education system, especially regarding internationalisation,
• fluency in English and excellent communication skills.

The following will be considered an advantage:

• demonstrated achievements in international collaboration,
• experience in communication duties and in supporting steering group or board work,
• experience in collaboration with African partners especially in research and innovation activities,
• knowledge of the policies and collaboration frameworks of the EU and the African Union in collaboration related to science, technology and innovation,
• an interest in food safety and sustainable agriculture,
• an interest in academic freedom and protection of scholars,
• the ability to work independently and as part of a team,
• an interest in working in a multi-cultural environment,
• proficiency in the Finnish language.

We offer you

• An interesting working environment with duties related to higher education, research and global development.
• The opportunity to participate in EU, AU and national policy processes and to influence on the dynamic international university network.
• Diverse duties and the opportunity for flexible and independent work planning.
• The opportunity to work as part of an active and international expert team.
• The staff benefits of the University of Eastern Finland, including comprehensive occupational health care, extensive provision of staff training, affordable lunch in our campus restaurants, and Sykettä sports services.

How to apply

Please submit your application with appendices in English or Finnish using our electronic application form no later than 30 June 2026 by 24:00 (midnight) Finnish time (UTC+3).

Please note that the application is required to contain the following appendices:

- cover/motivation letter
- a CV
- a copy of Master’s degree certificate
- copies of certificates of language proficiency, if not indicated in the academic degree certificates/diplomas

If your degree certificate is not in English or Finnish, you must provide official English translations of your degree certificate documents.

Questions?

For more information on the position, please contact Kaisa Kurki, Director of UniPID, tel. +358 50 330 6154, kaisa.kurki@uef.fi. Contacts by phone: 15 June at 9:00–11:00, 16 June at 12:00–14:00, 17 June at 9:00–11:00. Contacts by email: by 19 June 2026.

For more information on how to apply and on the application process, please contact HR- Specialist Airi Leppänen, airi.leppanen@uef.fi.

Haemme UniPID-verkoston koordinaatioyksikköön EU-AU-tutkimusprojektiin ja yliopistojen yhteiseen tutkijansuojelualoitteeseen projektikoordinaattoria. Tehtävä sijoittuu Joensuun kampukselle ja alkaa 1.9.2026 tai sopimuksen mukaan. Tehtävän palkkaus määräytyy yliopistojen palkkausjärjestelmän (muu asiantuntija- ja tukihenkilöstö) mukaisesti. Palkka koostuu tehtäväkohtaisesta palkanosasta ja henkilökohtaiseen suoriutumiseen perustuvasta palkanosasta. Tässä tehtävässä tehtäväkohtainen palkanosa on vaativuustasoluokittelussa tasoilla 8–9 (2 920.12–3 366.50 €/kk). Lisäksi maksetaan henkilökohtaiseen suoriutumiseen perustuvaa palkanosaa, joka on 6–50 % tehtäväkohtaisesta palkanosasta.
Tehtävässä edellytetään hyvää englannin kielen taitoa. Lue tarkemmat tiedot tehtävästä ja hakuohjeet yllä olevasta englanninkielisestä ilmoituksesta. Hakemuksen voi jättää suomeksi tai englanniksi. Hakuaika tehtävään päättyy 30.6.2026.